The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a 54-year-old woman Saturday morning after she fell aboard a boat about 15 miles off the coast of Galveston.

According to officials, the woman fell and injured her back while riding on a 29-foot pleasure craft. The captain of the boat called Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders around 8:15am to report the woman's condition and ask for help.

Watchstanders launched a boat crew from Station Galveston and airlifted the woman back to the station for medical attention.

"It's important to have a means to contact the Coast Guard on your vessel," said Zack Edwards, command duty officer at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston. "In this case, the captain was able to contact us and ask for assistance from a VHF radio on board. That can make the difference in saving a life and in this case was the key to a successful rescue."

The Coast Guard reminds all mariners to do the following before heading out on the water: